The Sheridan County Commissioners met in regular session and by Zoom (ID# 93997918251 Passcode# 625274) at 9:15 A.M. on February 18, 2025. All members present along with County Clerk Sindy Coburn, Treasurer Renee Thies, Clerk of District Court Clerk Carol Stouffer and Interim Road Superintendent Rod Norton. Krotz stated that the meeting would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act. This meeting was posted on the official County website and posted in the Sheridan County Journal Star on February 12, 2025.

Messersmith made a motion to accept the amended agenda with the addition of signing claim checks and auditing and approving salary claims.Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Messersmith made a motion to approve the minutes of 2-11-2025. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye. 

The board audited and approved salary claims and signed claim checks.

The board briefly discussed the square footage of the Probation Office. Darren Duncan, Chief Probation Officer had requested information of the costs to house Probation. This information is needed to respond to LB 327 that has been introduced by Senator Holdcroft. If passed, the costs of probation offices and space currently paid for by the counties would be moved to the state.
The board asked Jeff Davis to measure the conference room and the bathrooms to get a complete footage of usage. The board agreed that .48 cents/sq ft was an estimated cost.

 Rod Norton, Interim Road Superintendent informed the board that he has two applicants for his open position. Both are qualified applicants with CDL licenses. Norton also stated that he is ready for the 1 & 6 year road hearing but is concerned that with the weather no one will show up. The board stated that if they did not have good attendance that they could just recess and continue discussion at next weeks regular board meeting.

Sheriff Jeff Brewer was present and informed the board that they have hired a cook. Brewer also stated that the hunt for a new vehicle was not going well.

At 11 A.M. the board moved to the County Road Shop for the annual 1 & 6 year road hearing. Present: Keith and Kristi Paul, Todd Sherburn, Becky Herian, Mark and Debbie Cover, Chris Thomas along with Rod Norton and Tom Price. Norton showed maps of the road projects that he intended on including on the plan and gave the reasoning for each project. Discussion was had about armor coating some of the roads in the southern end of the county.
Chris Thomas from MCT Trucking LLC of Hemingford presented the board with information from the State Board of Roads about Sandhill Rules. Anything South of the Niobrara River would be considered Sandhills. These rules provide relaxed guidelines for roads in that area. Thomas stated that he would be interested in doing some roads for the county. His company uses Aggregate Sand and Bentonite and is laying it 8 inches deep. He has done roads for different ranches in Grant County and around the Valentine area. He would be happy to have the board look at some and see what they think. Thomas also stated that he would suggest that the County do a mile of road and see what they think. Mark Cover stated that he is sure that the mix Thomas is visiting about is good, he is sure that most of the residents would like to keep the asphalt if at all possible.

Bids have not been let for the projects out of Lakeside, but as soon as they are he will work with the company about securing millings. He has visited with Grant County and Senator Fischer about grant funding that could possibly be available. Cover stated that he has some guys committed to coming and looking at the roads in his area, but it could be a few weeks out.
The board was concerned about budgeting for such a project. They could budget for grant funds and if not awarded funding then we just don’t get to spend them. However, if they budget using County dollars it would need to be spent within the year budgeted. Cover stated that we would need to be flexible with the project because if everything falls together we need to be ready to proceed. The board agreed to add it to the plan as a 6 year project.

Messersmith made a motion to approve Resolution #2025-6 adopting the 1 & 6 year Highway Improvement Plan for 2025 as presented by Rod Norton, Interim Road Superintendent. Kling seconded the motion. With a roll call vote all voted aye.

Adjourn: 12:30 P.M.
Attest: Sindy L. Coburn, Co Clerk
James Krotz, Chairman
Posted by Jack Andersen